Remarks of FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel at Mobile World Congress 2022

"To support the next-generation of wireless connectivity, we must work together to free up more spectrum—and especially mid-band airwaves," said Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel at the Mobile World Congress of 2022 In Barcelona, Spain. "I'm excited to announce that the United States will hold another mid-band spectrum auction. This July we will kick off our auction of the 2.5 GHz band. This is the single largest swath of contiguous mid-band spectrum we have below 3 gigahertz and the airwaves available in this auction are going to help extend 5G service beyond our most populated areas." Rosenworcel continued, "I believe it is time to take the next step in innovative spectrum management. Next month I will propose to my colleagues at the FCC that we launch a new inquiry to explore receiver performance and standards. This inquiry would ask how receiver improvements could provide greater opportunities for access to spectrum. It would explore how these specifications could come in the form of incentives, guidelines, or regulatory requirements—in specific frequency bands or across all bands. And it would seek comment on legal authority and market-based mechanisms that could help create a more transparent and predictable radiofrequency environment for all spectrum users—new and old." Rosenworcel concluded by discussing 6G networks, saying, "We have to start planning for the next-next-generation of wireless technology—or 6G...I believe for 6G we need to start planning now to identify spectrum in the 7-15 GHz range that can support faster speeds and wider coverage. I also believe it’s not too early to harmonize these efforts across the world. That’s how we will help ensure this next-next-generation effort can reach everyone, everywhere."